I've got a badger that works very well for creams, and I want to add a good boar brush for soap. I've heard great things about the Semogue brushes, but I don't know if I want to go through the hassle of an international purchase. I know very little about the Omegas, but they seem rather popular. Somebody help me figure it out!
Somebody recommend me a boar brush....
- Thread starter 4th and Nesbitt
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I've been lathering 3x a day with my Semo 2000 for about 5 days now. It seems pretty well broken in. Looking at it top down is a wall of split bristles looking like a woven basket. It lathers soaps decently (I use soaps exclusively). But so far it is still not anywhere near as good at it as a low grade badger. That's Pure, Best, Black, or Finest from TGN. Or a Nylon synthetic badger. It is a little more effective than silvertip brushes.
The main complaint I still have is it's huge, as big as a 28mm badger and it's still a two pass brush. It just doesn't maintain sufficient lather for a third pass. I'm hoping further breaking in will correct this, but I'm less hopeful than I was when I tried it the first time.
It's a nice brush if you want a boar, but don't get a boar because they are "better for soaps". They aren't. The low grade badgers just kill soaps. Those are what you want if you want to easily lather a soap.
When I want to just lather the living crap out of a soap I reach for one of my black, finest or nylon badgers.
The main complaint I still have is it's huge, as big as a 28mm badger and it's still a two pass brush. It just doesn't maintain sufficient lather for a third pass. I'm hoping further breaking in will correct this, but I'm less hopeful than I was when I tried it the first time.
It's a nice brush if you want a boar, but don't get a boar because they are "better for soaps". They aren't. The low grade badgers just kill soaps. Those are what you want if you want to easily lather a soap.
When I want to just lather the living crap out of a soap I reach for one of my black, finest or nylon badgers.
There really is no hassle buying from Vintage Scent. Place the order and pay with Paypal. They handle the conversion. You dont get charged duty. It just shows up in your mailbox in about 7-8 days.
I have the Omega 81052. 23mm knot 54mm loft. More like a normal badger brush size. I like it for hard soaps like DR Harris and Trumpers.
The 31025 + 31064 are 25mm / 59mm and are the medium sized Omegas.
The 10049 or 10083 are big. 26mm/60+ loft.
I had a 10049 but thought it was too big. Made tons of lather well though.
Boars are cool. They are cheap and they work great.
Although they DO stink when new.
Not as luxurious as a good badger brush, but better than any Delong, Tweezerman badger etc in the same price range.
If I had it to do over again and I only wanted 1 boar, I think I'd probably get the 31064. YMMV, of coarse.
I have the Omega 81052. 23mm knot 54mm loft. More like a normal badger brush size. I like it for hard soaps like DR Harris and Trumpers.
The 31025 + 31064 are 25mm / 59mm and are the medium sized Omegas.
The 10049 or 10083 are big. 26mm/60+ loft.
I had a 10049 but thought it was too big. Made tons of lather well though.
Boars are cool. They are cheap and they work great.
Although they DO stink when new.
Not as luxurious as a good badger brush, but better than any Delong, Tweezerman badger etc in the same price range.
If I had it to do over again and I only wanted 1 boar, I think I'd probably get the 31064. YMMV, of coarse.
Yes, I can attest to that as well. I placed the order with VintageScent. It arrived about week later. No problems.
I went with the 2000 because I don't like the "banded" boars. If you don't care, I'd probably go with the 830. going by the hair grading VintageScent lists, I think that brush is a little bit higher quality. It's also a little bit less huge.
I went with the 2000 because I don't like the "banded" boars. If you don't care, I'd probably go with the 830. going by the hair grading VintageScent lists, I think that brush is a little bit higher quality. It's also a little bit less huge.
Omega 31064 or Semogue 830.
Both medium sized, acrylic handled high-end boar brushes. Both have fine bristles and will require a little breaking in. The Semogue, at least my one, seems a little better built than the Omega; the Omega is a shedder and the ring holding the knot in is split in several places. Those issues aside, its probably been the brush I've enjoyed the most thus far, including badger brushes.
The Semogue has a significantly smaller handle. I prefer the Omega handle. Perhaps lean slightly towards the Semogue knot, which is unique among the boars I've used in that it doesn't 'clump' when wet.
Both are great. The only negatives would be the shedding of the Omega and the fact Vintagescent requires log in details to order. There's really no need for this at all in 2010 and its a needless security risk. However, lots of guys report their 31064's to be free of shedding issues, and many don't have a problem with sites that require log-in.
ps I will try to upload some pics of these brushes for comparison if you're interested.
Both medium sized, acrylic handled high-end boar brushes. Both have fine bristles and will require a little breaking in. The Semogue, at least my one, seems a little better built than the Omega; the Omega is a shedder and the ring holding the knot in is split in several places. Those issues aside, its probably been the brush I've enjoyed the most thus far, including badger brushes.
The Semogue has a significantly smaller handle. I prefer the Omega handle. Perhaps lean slightly towards the Semogue knot, which is unique among the boars I've used in that it doesn't 'clump' when wet.
Both are great. The only negatives would be the shedding of the Omega and the fact Vintagescent requires log in details to order. There's really no need for this at all in 2010 and its a needless security risk. However, lots of guys report their 31064's to be free of shedding issues, and many don't have a problem with sites that require log-in.
ps I will try to upload some pics of these brushes for comparison if you're interested.
I don't think you can go wrong with an Omega boar. They are great brushes.
Try to find a Jaguar #236...It will be worth the effort...great lather with no hassle, not so soft, no so stiff...I'm really impressed (I have had Kent, Savile Row, Vulfix ans Semogue) that for $7 I got a nice performer. That could be the reason that it is sold out in Amazon for almost a month 
My Omega is shedding a little but it hasn't really changed much, plus they are pretty cheap. I'd get an Omega. I read Semogue has clipped tips on TSD though, otherwise they look sharp.
Interesting, codswallop more like
, I have a 1305, 1470, 620, 2009 LE & an 830. no clipped bristles.A clipped boar brush will remain just that.
interesting, codswallop more like
A clipped boar brush will remain just that.
+1
I took a queue from Dr. Chris Moss of both Moss Scuttle and Shavemac variable loft brush fame. He recommends the Omega 10005/30005/80005 brush. These are all the same except for their packaging. It is also available as the Wm. Marvy #5 Omega as well. It is a dense beechwood handled 24mm Boar with dimensions of Ht 110, Handle 55, Loft 55, Knot 24.
These are NOT your Grandad's cheap boar brush. I have been very surprised at how soft this puppy becomes and how well it handles lather generation. I last tried a boar some 50 years ago.... that experience was one of seemingly dealing with a porcupine....no fun t'all And for whatever reason these, at least from Marvy, come "defunkafied" which was another nice surprise.
It is also reviewed here by other folks:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=104727
These are NOT your Grandad's cheap boar brush. I have been very surprised at how soft this puppy becomes and how well it handles lather generation. I last tried a boar some 50 years ago.... that experience was one of seemingly dealing with a porcupine....no fun t'all
And for whatever reason these, at least from Marvy, come "defunkafied" which was another nice surprise.
It is also reviewed here by other folks:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=104727
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Semogue 1470 or 1800 - both very good brushes.
I took a queue from Dr. Chris Moss of both Moss Scuttle and Shavemac variable loft brush fame. He recommends the Omega 10005/30005/80005 brush. These are all the same except for their packaging. It is also available as the Wm. Marvy #5 Omega as well. It is a dense beechwood handled 24mm Boar with dimensions of Ht 110, Handle 55, Loft 55, Knot 24.
These are NOT your Grandad's cheap boar brush. I have been very surprised at how soft this puppy becomes and how well it handles lather generation. I last tried a boar some 50 years ago.... that experience was one of seemingly dealing with a porcupine....no fun t'all
It is also reviewed here by other folks:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=104727
This e-bay seller has them for $14.88 shipped. Only four left.
I had the same issue with my omega beechwood handle..
Semogue 1305 is my personal favorite.
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Thanks for the responses fellas, I've got some good information here to help me with the buying process.
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